Albert S. Richardson, Jr.

Albert S. Richardson, Jr. age 97, died peacefully at home on January 25th, 2024. He lived a full life, defined by being true to himself and his ideals. With clarity of thought and an endless memory, Al enjoyed reflecting back on the events and details of his life, his family, and the people he knew.

Born January 8, 1927, in Wyoming, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati, Al grew up with three sisters. He graduated from Wyoming High School in 1945, after having left school a year earlier to enlist in the Navy. In 1949, he became a third generation Princeton University graduate. Al worked as an electrical engineer for GE in Philadelphia while also attending Temple University Law School and starting a family in Delaware County, PA. He became a patent attorney and raised four children with his first wife. Al also began what would become life-long commitments: an interest in social responsibility and political action, and an involvement with the Unitarian church.

In 1975, Al moved to Erie to work as patent counsel for GE Transportation. He bought a home in town, joined the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie (UUCE), and continued his social and political activism. In 1984 Al met his future wife, Peggy, when she interviewed to be the musical director for UUCE. They were married in 1989 and enjoyed their blended family, travel, seasonal visits to their log home in West Virginia, and attending arts and cultural events in Erie and around the world. 

For three decades Peggy and Al were leaders in the community. They were known for their philanthropy, activism, and volunteerism. They were stewards of the Erie Philharmonic and supported many other organizations. In 1997, they created the Frederick Douglass Scholarship fund, which to date has provided hundreds of scholarships to college-bound African American high school seniors in Erie Public Schools.

Al was one of the co-founders of the Erie Regional Peace & Justice Center, the Erie Peace Initiative, and Citizens Interfaith Council for Democracy. He was president of the Northwest PA chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He received the Charles B. Killinger Award for outstanding service in the Field of Aging. In 1991, Al was part of a team of peace and environmental activists who used the political process to embolden a majority of County Council to declare Erie County a Nuclear Free Zone. He was a member of Citizens Against Racism in Erie (CARE), an advocate for Community Access TV, and Political Chair on the Executive Committee of Lake Erie Group of the Sierra Club. Al was honored as one of the Unitarian Universalists of the Year by the Western PA UU Council for his service to the church denomination and community. He was a church delegate to Congregational Action to Lift Lives (CALL) and took a lead role in successfully adding all graduating high school seniors, 18 and older, to the Erie County jury pool. He remained an active member of UUCE throughout his life. Al spoke out publicly through frequent letters to the editor and opinion pieces that were published in the Erie Times-News.

Al and Peggy were recipients of numerous awards and honors for their many gifts and contributions to the Erie community. These include, being lauded for their philanthropic, educational, and social justice efforts at the Porreco College of Edinboro University of PA Gala in the Orchard; Outstanding Philanthropists, Northwest Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals; Prophet of Peace award, Benedictine Sisters of Erie; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award for outstanding community service and their dedication to helping mankind; Tocqueville Award, United Way of Erie County; Lifetime Achievement Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Star Award, Partnership for Erie’s Public Schools; Applause Award, Erie Arts & Culture; Lifetime Achievement Award, Erie Branch NAACP; and the Edward C. Doll Community Service Award, Erie Community Foundation.

Al’s dedication to his community was matched by his devotion to his family. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy, sisters Caroline Haase and Annie Lou Helmsderfer, and son-in-law Rick Fine. He is survived by his sister Mary Lee Irwin; children Al III, Emily, Anne Stevens (Andy), and Lisa (Dáithí Sproule); step-children Carol Bellini (Mark) and Bob Uhleman (Lissa); grandchildren Julianna Stevens (Jono Tosch), Carson Stevens (Esme), Lynn Thomas (Jay), Karen Bellini (Steve Gdanetz), Mary Kinslow (Tom), Brieanna Wendt (Evan), and Nicholle Uhleman; eleven great grandchildren: Henry, Andrew, Anthony, Payton, Theodore, Sophie, Magda, Charlotte, Matthew, Romer, and Zoe; and many nieces and nephews. Al will be greatly missed.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service for Al Richardson at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 Perry Highway, Erie PA 16509. Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc. Downtown 602 W. 10^th Street, Erie. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Frederick Douglass Scholarship Fund of the Erie Community Foundation and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie.  

Send condolences to: www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.